July 10, 2009

In an attempt to once again smear Ignatieff and legitimize their attack-ad campaign, Harper came charging out, during an international address, and wrongfully attributed a quote to Ignatieff. Apparently in a late night email received by Harper's Press Secretary, Dimitri Soudas, a quote appeared that may or may not have been from Ignatieff, that minimized Canada's importance in the global economy. Soudas immediately wet himself and with his brain about to explode and forgetting he was only in his underwear, went running to Harper with the news. Soudas briefed the PM the next morning without verifying the source of the quote, and Harper couldn't resist the opportunity of making the attack. And then being forced to apologize shortly thereafter.

Two parts of this expose how desperate Harper and the Cons are to attack Ignatieff. The first is that they got this random quote in a late-night email and without doing a simple check they instantly attribute it to Ignatieff. One small, simple step from Soudas to verify the source would have saved them a world of embarrassment. One small question from Harper about if it had been sourced properly or double-checked would have saved them a world of embarrassment. But given that the Harper and the Cons are more interested in politics then governing and will jump at any opportunity to attack their opponents, especially Ignatieff, they thought they had a gem of a quote and couldn't resist 'running to the press'. Which is essentially what they did and is the second part that exposes their desperation.

Harper is at a G8 conference, in front of international consortium, global media, various world leaders. He's there to address issues such as the global economy, world trade, climate change, financial aid to impoverished nations. And when all the other leaders are talking ideas, programs and commitments with a sense of optimism, Harper (once again) takes the low-road and attacks the Leader of the Opposition back home. It wasn't relevant to what was going on and it was an inappropriate venue to make such statements. Who does that type of thing? A person with only one focus and who is desperate, that's who. Harper essentially went running to the press. And it's obvious he had to change what he originally intended to say at this engagement to include his shots at Ignatieff.

What this tells me is that really, Harper has nothing on Ignatieff to use against him. I laughed at the ad campaign when it emerged because the quotes being used were dated and/or way out of context. And ever since, Harper hasn't had anything to hold over Ignatieff and this episode, in the continuing drama of Harper/Con missteps, shows that they are looking for absolutely anything at anytime to go after the Liberal leader. Harper is desperate and not at all focused on what's really important. I wonder who is going to take the fall this time and become the next scapegoat? Likely person is Soudas but I'm sure they'll find another low-level staffer they can fire.

The best quote Harper gave was,

"I think it's an irresponsible suggestion. … I would suggest he look carefully at this comments and withdraw those. Frankly, they'd be irresponsible coming from anybody, but they're particularly irresponsible coming from a senior Canadian parliamentarian."

I wonder if the comments are as irresponsible as Harper and his staff failing to do their jobs both within and outside of the PMO bubble? When is Canada going to get a real Prime Minister and leader?

"First it is necessary to stand on your own two feet. But the minute a man finds himself in that position, the next thing he should do is reach out his arms. " ~ Kristin Hunter

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